The vessel Panormitis, carrying over 6,200 tonnes of wheat and 19,000 tonnes of barley, was loaded via ship-to-ship transfers from the occupied Ukrainian city of Berdyansk and departed from Russia's Port of Kavkaz, according to the SeaKrime monitoring project. Kyiv is tracking the ship and officials said they were not willing to 'let this slide,' US media reported. Sa'ar said Kyiv did not submit a formal request for legal assistance before airing the issue publicly, adding that the matter will be examined and Israel abides by the rule of law.
It remains unclear what action Israel will take regarding the Panormitis, including whether it will be allowed to dock and unload in Haifa. According to Euronews, a Ukrainian diplomatic source described Israel's previous response to similar allegations as 'essentially shrugged off,' calling the situation 'a slap in the face' given Ukraine's strategic goodwill.
Friendly Ukrainian-Israeli relations have the potential to benefit both countries. Russia's illegal trade with stolen Ukrainian grain should not undermine them.
It is difficult to understand Israel's lack of appropriate response to Ukraine's legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa. Now that another such vessel has arrived in Haifa, we once again warn Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations.
Evidence substantiating the allegations have yet to be provided.
Kyiv did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks.
The matter will be examined. Israel is a state that abides by the rule of law with independent law enforcement authorities. All Israeli authorities will act in accordance with the law.
Essentially shrugged off Kyiv's demands regarding the previous vessel that unloaded stolen wheat in Haifa port.
Frankly, this feels like a slap in the face given the strategic goodwill Ukraine has extended - from designating the IRGC as terrorists to criminalising antisemitism.